A University of New Mexico clinical trial seeks to test the safety and efficacy of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on children.

Researchers have enrolled up to 60 children ages six to 12, with the first phase of the trial already underway.

UNM is among the 88 entities in the U.S. and Canada participating in Moderna's KidCOVE study, KOB reported.

"UNM is in a unique position to include a larger proportion of Hispanic and Native American children in the study than sites located elsewhere in the country," said Hengameh Raissy, PharmD, a research professor in pediatrics and co-principal investigator on the study, told the station.

The study is expected to last a little over a year, with the goal to have around 7,000 children participating.

Children who are registered will receive either a placebo or the first dose of the Moderna vaccine, with at least two visits with researchers; they’ll return a month later to be administered the second jab.

The second shot will be followed by subsequent testing and at least two more visits with researchers.

UNM will devote the next two phases to children from the ages of six months to six years old.

 An exact start date for that has yet to be determined.